distract
verb (used with object)
to draw away or divert, as the mind or attention.
has distracted
-
present perfectof distract (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"General poverty, major political upheaval, alongside other disasters - e.g. the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 - has distracted the country from concentrating on the unpredictable risks from earthquakes," he said.
From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2025
“It has distracted the focus from economic problems like inflation and put the focus on values connected to John Paul II,” she said.
From New York Times ● Apr. 5, 2023
I am inclined to think the debate over the efficacy has distracted from the main point of the study—in the case of mental health, how and whether something works both matter.
From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2022
So much has distracted from the latest "Fantastic Beasts" movie.
From Salon ● Apr. 20, 2022
“Taisin, sometimes it is better for others to not know what we have seen in our visions. You see how much it has distracted you. Think of how much it will distract Kaede.”
From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo
